Two coherent sources separated by distance such that at a point they have a path difference of λ/2. What kind of interference occurs there?

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Multiple Choice

Two coherent sources separated by distance such that at a point they have a path difference of λ/2. What kind of interference occurs there?

Explanation:
Interference depends on how in step the two waves are when they meet. A path difference of half a wavelength gives a phase difference of π, so the waves are opposite in phase. When their amplitudes are equal, they cancel each other out, producing a minimum in intensity—destructive interference. If the amplitudes aren’t equal, you still get a strong suppression at that point, but not complete cancellation. So the situation described yields destructive interference.

Interference depends on how in step the two waves are when they meet. A path difference of half a wavelength gives a phase difference of π, so the waves are opposite in phase. When their amplitudes are equal, they cancel each other out, producing a minimum in intensity—destructive interference. If the amplitudes aren’t equal, you still get a strong suppression at that point, but not complete cancellation. So the situation described yields destructive interference.

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